Governor Andy Beshear today announced an infrastructure proposal that includes proposed spending on clean water projects, Internet service and affordable housing.

But one leading Republican says it's the General Assembly, not the governor, who has the power to act.

More on that in a moment.

First, the plan.

It includes money for cleaner drinking water.

Since 2021, the state has handed out $500 million in federal funds to improve water and wastewater systems in order to help underserved families and businesses.

The governor is proposing 500 million more in state funds the next two years.

The plan would expand high speed Internet with the goal of ensuring all Kentucky families and businesses have access.

He wants to spend $100 million for the state's career and technical centers.

10 million would go to providing affordable housing to qualifying Kentuckians.

And he wants more build ready sites that can attract big development projects.

These are key investments in our infrastructure plan that I know are needed to turn these years of great economic development into decades of prosperity.

The state can and should make these key investments.

When the General Assembly convenes in January 2024.

All of this will be in the budget we present to them.

We have some more highlights.

Governor Beshear also wants $200 million to speed up work on the Mountain Parkway to make it four lanes all the way and for work on Interstate 69.

He wants 50 million for city and county bridge work.

House Speaker David Osborne didn't seem impressed with the governor's proposal.

His statement says in part, Once again, he throws out policy that he hasn't talked to anyone about, will do nothing to try to pass it.

Only take credit for the work that we ultimately do.

Kentuckians can expect their legislature to continue passing the same responsible Kentucky forward policies as we have since 2017.

Regardless of who is in the Governor's mansion.

Unquote.